There are people today who tell us that Jesus’ name really is Yeshua, or perhaps Yehushua, or Yehoshua. There is not a shred of texual evidence for this claim. Every New Testament manuscript is in Greek, and early translations were in Aramaic, and Latin, but there are no manuscripts in Hebrew.

There is no doubt that Yeshua, Yehushua, and Yehoshua are forms of the same name as the Greek “Iasous”

Two things indicate that Yehoshua is the proper Hebrew name for Jesus:
(1) In the Greek Translation of the OT known as the Septuagint (LXX), the name Joshua is rendered *Iasous* = Jesus.
(2) In the NT, Joshua is mentioned twice (Acts 7:45; Heb 4:8), and in both places the Greek NT spells the name *Iasous* = Jesus.

Dr. Price’s facts are correct, that these names are essentially the same, and his observations of the Septuagint are also valid, however I disagree with his conclusion; that Jesus’ real (original) name must therefore be Yehoshua. Why? Because I don’t like Hebrew? Absolutely not! I love Hebrew and am learning it at this moment!

My objection to this speculation is because of a prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ, found in the book of Isaiah;

For with stammering lips and ANOTHER TONGUE will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28:11

I have no doubt that Jesus knew Hebrew, but it was not the lingua franca (the working language) of first century Israel… it was Greek. Hebrew was already a dying language, and was mainly spoken by scholars, NOT by the common people.

Isaiah wrote in Hebrew, therefore the “another tongue” could not be Hebrew! It was Greek!

Who are the “this people” in the passage? They are Isaiah’s people, the Jews. Why would Jesus speak in Greek to the Jews? Because the common people would understand Him, but at the same time He would be a stumbling block to the scholars and “mighty men”. This is exactly what happened.

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isaiah 8:14

So, is it wrong to use Yehoshua, or Yeshua? No. Just don’t tell me that is the only name He must go by, or that Iasous was just a transliteration of His real name. It is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew, but is also the name He went by, when He walked the dusty roads of Israel!

If God had wanted His Son’s name to be known as Yeshua, or Yeshoshua, it would have been written that way in the original New Testament language, and He would have preserved it that way! Those who are saying that we must go back to the name Yeshua, are really saying that God was powerless to preserve the true name of His son for some 2,000 years, and that God needs our help! Ultimately this attitude is an insult to the Lord!

8 Responses to In Which Language was the New Testament written?

The Son of GOD, Yahushua, was born in the Hebraic Lineage of king David. His earthly mother Miryam (Mary) was Hebrew. His step-father Yosef (Joseph) was likewise Hebraic. Of course they spoke Hebrew. That’s their native tongue. Greek was of the Greeks, the Gentiles. The proper names of the O.T. and N.T. were, of majority, Hebraic. Why change the truths to fit religious man’s traditions? The Hebraic truth is so simple that the blind do stumble over it. The Name “YAHUSHUA” comes from the Name of the Father “YAHWEH” (“YAHUVEH”/”YAHUAH”), and it simply means “YAHWEH is Salvation”. For whatever reason, GOD allowed the usage of the Anglo-Grecian Name of “JESUS” for HIS Son. HE had the Name Anointed for season. It will be Anointed until the Anti-Christ comes claiming himself to be “Jesus Christ”. This is Prophetic revelation. EPHESIANS 4:11-12, I CORINTHIANS 14 and AMOS 3:7. It is revelation only for this End-Time generation, for it will only pertain to this particular generation. The Anti-Christ will be Satan’s duplicate of the real “JESUS CHRIST”. The Devil will use that name/title of Jesus Christ. Anti-Christ will claim to be “God”. Satan has always wanted to be “God”. II THESSALONIANS 2:3-4 says that A.C. will claim to be “God”. Extra Divine modern Prophetic revelation gives more detail that the A.C. will claim to be “God” a/k/a “Jesus Christ”. The Name that gabriel gave to Miryam, the shepherds in the fields, and on the Babe’s 8th-day Circumcision, it was the Name “Yahushua”, not “Jesus”. For Yahweh will save His people from their sins.

God never “just allows” things to happen. And, it is never for “whatever” reason. God does everything for a specific reason. He does not have to tell us what that reason is, but you can rest assured He has a purpose in everything He does, and in everything He allows.

This is why I know that Iasous is the name of the Son of God. You can call Him Jesus, or Yeshua, or Yehoshua, if you want, but there is not a SHRED of evidence that he went by Yeshua or Yehoshua while on this earth. What I mean is there is no Hebrew document of the New Testament to support your contentions! Not one!

It is a sin to make up doctrines through our own reasoning, no matter how logical they might seem. I can say “I think this…” or “It seems that…”, but when you claim that “this is so” without a clear statement from Scripture you have crossed a line, and are guilty of adding to Scripture!

Deuteronomy 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Revelation 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

This is a serious thing! Make sure you don’t do it!

The Jews were NOT using Hebrew as their daily language (or lingua franca) by the time Iasous was born, but Greek. The truth is that Iasous is the Greek form of Yeshua or Yehoshua. The Septuagint, Greek translation of the Holy Scriptures uses Iasous as the translation for Yehoshua throughout the Old Testament. English speaking Canadian Jewish boys, named for Israel’s last son, go by Benjamin, not Binyamin.

The Old Testament says that the name of the Messiah will be Yehoshua, but this doesn’t mean that He couldn’t be known by the Greek equivalent! The Greek Iasous is fulfillment of Zechariah 6:11-12!

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

In my studies I have found that the Old Testament quotations used in the New Testament are very often peculiar to the Greek Septuagint. In other words the authors used the Greek to study from, more than the Hebrew, and considered them to be equally inspired, or authoritative. You don’t need to understand Hebrew to understand the essential truths that God has for you in His Word.

Josephus, another Jewish scholar/historian from the same time also used Iasous for the name of the deputy leader of the Temple in his “Jewish Wars” (book 4). Search through his books and you will not find Yehushua or Yeshua, only Iasous!

Why did God do this? I have already explained that it was to be a stumbling block to the Jewish scholars. It certainly was, but it is also to show that He is not particular on the name, just so long as you get the right person! He can be called Yehovah, or Yahweh, or God, or Boha, or Boga, or Theos, or Kurios as in the Greek. When God scattered the nations at Babel, He did NOT leave himself without a witness amongst the Gentiles! When missionaries go to pagan tribes they universally find that they already have a word they use for the Creator God. They don’t have to teach them about a God they have no knowledge of! (Read “Eternity in their Hearts”, by Don Richardson)

I don’t believe that you are correct that the Antichrist will call himself “Jesus Christ”. It is more likely that he will call himself “Hashem”, or perhaps “Hashem the messiah”. Some Jews will accept him, like the false prophet, but the majority will rebel when he calls himself the Messiah.

Your whole case is based on human reasoning, without a clear statement from the New Testament Scriptures. For this reason I can’t accept it as true.

But, Dan, you don’t believe that GOD has a real proper Name? And, that, because of HIS Love for us, HIS people, and HIS Desire to have intimate relationship with us, individually as well as collectively as HIS true Church, that HE desires that we know HIS proper Name(s) and call HIM by HIS Name(s), just like we, as people, like to do with each other. Sure, we use titles of respect, and nick-names for personal loved-ones, but, we still want to have our loved-ones and acquaintances to address us by our given birth names. We just do. GOD is the same way. The Son of GOD is the same way. His Name is Yahushua. And, that Name has embedded within it the very Name of His Father, “YAHUVEH”. It’s a personal, intimate thing. You do realize that “Bog”/”Boga”, for example, is simply Russian for the “TITLE” of “God”? The Word “GOD” is just that, a Title. Just like “Sir”, :Lord”, “Master”, “Mrs.”, “Captain”, “Officer” are Titles. Titles of Authority. But, a “Proper Name” is something totally different altogether. And, a Proper Name is more specific than a Title. And, more importantly, a Name is more Intimate, much more so, than a Title. YES, GOD and HIS Son answers to Titles and to Anglo-Grecian Names like “JESUS” and “JEHOVAH”, but, GOD has revealed through a holy Prophet of HIS, in these Last Days, (and re: EPHESIANS 4:11-12) that Satan will use the secondary name, as used now for GOD’s Son, the name of “Jesus”, Satan will use for his Anti-Christ, his own Son of Perdition. YAHUSHUA is making it clear for this generatiion now. So as to be ready when that A.C. arrives, and sooner than what many think. This is not my own opinion, nor that of the Prophet. It is purely GOD’s revelation for our End-Times benefit to be aware of what will take place, so that we, who are left behind, do not fall into the coming great Deception. It is the traditions of relgious men that are clung to so tightly that cause GOD’s own people to resist HIS mighty revelations that reveal more info for these times. And, these Prophetic revelations are, indeed, a part of the JOEL 2:28 Prophecy that is to come to pass. It started on the first Pentecost, from ACTS 2, and continues on until the Lord Yahushua ha Melech returns again to Earth. It’s a matter of Truth. GOD desires Truth in our our inward parts, PSALMS 51:6. That includes this, what to some seems as a petty matter, the knowing of the true Name of the Messiah and Saviour of mankind. This Man, this Saviour, King is the only Person that can redeem any of us from an Eternity of Torments. His Name is the only Name that can save us. Why would any of us not want to know what His real Birth-Name is, and start familiarizing ourselves with it, just because of Who He is, and because we love Him? Why not? I know what you’re relaying, but, to me, it’s so simple, it seems to get stumbled over. Maybe, somehow, it’s all just “too simple”. No big Seminary Doctorate needed. Something to consider, anyway. Blessings!

My name is actually Daniel, but I don’t mind if you call me Dan. It just isn’t that important to me. Some call me Knezachek, and others say Nezasek. I may not like it but I don’t make a big deal about it.

No doubt God has a proper name, but I doubt if these sinful tongues of ours could even pronounce it properly. If He said we had to pronounce His name correctly, in order to avoid Hell, I would be very interested, but I believe that today we look through a glass darkly. I also believe in grace.

When I am in His presence, he can update me as to the exact pronunciation of his name. In the mean time I am content to call Him “Abba”.

So many “scholars” debate as to whether it should be Yeshua, or Yehoshua, or Yehushua. The truth is that no-one really knows exactly, and I believe that this is by His design. That’s right! I believe He doesn’t want us to know, and those who make a big deal about it are false teachers. I think He purposely hid the exact pronunciation from us because He knew that we would make a huge deal about the pronunciation and would ignore more important things, like sin and justice!

The Arabic translations translate God as Allah, the same as the Qur’an! Does this mean that the Qur’an has the correct Allah? Absolutely not! You can tell that the Quranic Allah is an imposter by reading about His character! The God of the Qur’an is incredibly evil, but the God of the bible is incredibly good!

Different Character = Different God! Regardless of the name.

So what is the most important thing? It is what the book says about the character of God, not how the name is pronounced. The leadership of the messianic congregation I am currently attending is much like you in this regard, but I think they are majoring on minors!

Hi Daniel. I will not “argue” or drag this on anymore, but, allow me this one other point. Did you hear what you said? About being willing to learn HIS Name to avoid Hell. But, not willing to learn it just for HIS Sake, for Who HE is. As in just for the Relationship. Of course, the Lord would make HIS Name known, esp. that of HIS Son’s. It’s not so otherworldly that it can’t be pronounced. But, we all are in differing stages and the Life with the LORD is a process, day-by-day. Shalom always!

What I said was hypothetical. Has He said that we need to learn any other name than Iasous? He Himself never referred to the Father as anything other than “Father”, “My Father”, or “My God”!

Let me ask you this: Do you, or did you, refer to your earthly father by his first name? Do you, or did you, refer to him by his last name? If my son were to refer to me as “Knezacek” I would be offended!

I know some people who allow their children to refer to their parents by their first name and I have to tell you it is very disrespectful! Such parents are not good parents! As a man, I am equal to my father, but I still refer to him as “Dad”, or “Father”. Never as “Gordon”.

God has a name, no doubt, but using it comes across as disrespectful! Is He your buddy? Are you on a first name basis with God? What name did he tell you to use? How did Jesus tell you to address the Father? Hint: Read the Lords prayer

Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Do you hallow His name by spreading it around like a common thing?

If you are a born-again child of God, He is your Heavenly Father. You should have more respect for Him than you have for your earthly father, and you should have respect for your earthly father.

There was a time when God told Israel He was not going to allow them to use His name anymore;

Jeremiah 44:26
Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.

While this was specifically aimed at the Jews who went to Egypt, it really appears that He extended it to all of Israel, for they all are disobedient. Since we all have been disobedient at times, isn’t it rather arrogant to presume to use His name?

Jesus told us to take the lowest place when we are invited to a feast. If the host invites you to sit in a higher place you will be honoured, but if you take a high position and he asks you to take a lesser place, then you will be greatly embarrassed.

When you insist on using God’s name you are inviting yourself to a very high place. You may find one day, that He puts you in a lower place than you elevated yourself.

Malachi 1:6
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, but I urge you to show some respect for the Creator of the Universe.

Daniel, Why do we treat GOD as if somehow HE’s immune to having intimate and deep feelings and emotions? By just reading the entire Bible you can’t possibly come to the conclusion that GOD doesn’t really care whether we know HIS real Names or not. But, because there is not a simple Bible Verse that says “GOD Almighty wants HIS people to know HIS Name”, that does not mean that HE doesn’t care if we do or not. Man was made in GOD’s Image. In many different ways were mankind made in HIS Image. One of those ways was the simplicity of us having proper first names. Because HE Himself has proper first Names. Just like we are to do all of our work throughout the first six days of the week, and we (are to) rest on the 7th day, just as GOD had created and “laboured” for the first 6 Days, and rested on the 7th. We act and do things as according to HIS Image. As well, regarding HIS Names, PROVERBS 30:4 says, “Who hath ascended up into Heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in HIS Fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the Earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name, if thou canst tell?” And, no, Daniel, JEREMIAH 44:26 does not at all imply that HIS people are not to call HIM by HIS Name. That is complete taking-out-of-context. It was for those of Judah. They were forbidden to call GOD’s Name because of their sin and Idolatries. They were unfit and unworthy to speak HIS Holy Name. The same can apply today to any Christian and Believer who is actually back-slidden in sin and immoralities. They would, likewise, be unfit to utter HIS Blessed Name. But, for those of HIS who are actually walking and talking uprightly before HIM, and for those who are at least making efforts to walk and talk in HIS ways, they are free to call upon HIS Holy Name. For, when we live in obedience to HIS Commandments, in HIS Ways of Righteousness, then, we have genuine relationship with HIM, and can be found worthy of HIS Names. As Yahushua said, in JOHN 14:15, “If ye love Me, keep My Commandments.” Also, see JOHN 15:10 and I JOHN 5:2-3. Using GOD’s Holy Name is not “pride” or “arrogance”. GOD is not a respector of persons, ROMANS 2:11. Using HIS true Names is not one bit a cause for one to get into pride. And, if one does, they shall be in the wrong, and GOD shall reward them accordingly! But, when one truly loves GOD, and desires more personable intimacy with HIM, he or she may call on HIS Blessed Names. I do not spread the Name of the LORD around as a common thing. My mentioning HIS Name is just that, mentioning it, in respect for HIM, and for what is TRUE. Does not the Scripture say, as I quoted earlier, that GOD desires Truth in all the inward parts? PSALM 51:6. So, tell me, Do we or do we not, call out and use, on a regular basis, the Name of “JESUS”? Or, as in my case, “YAHUSHUA”? Do we not? By your logic of “using the Lord’s first Name is disrespectful”, how, then, does that jibe with our using the Name of the Son? How about the use of the Father’s Anglo-Grecian Name of “JEHOVAH”? We can call God the Father “Father”. We can call Him “Father” more often than by His proper Name. That’s no problem. And, if you read my comments again, you will not find where I was trying to insinuate that to call Him “Father” was, somehow, “unfit” or “improper”. But, rather, my point is that, GOD does have real proper Names that can be uttered and used by HIS people. And, of course, with all love and respect towards HIM, not in vanity or in a disrespectful manner. That’s a given. With Love and with Respect always toward HIM.